14 by: Jessica Giles

Student – Jessica Giles

Name of Enzyme: Beta-Glucosidase

E.C. number: 3.2.1.23

Where is the enzyme found? Beta-Glucosidase is found in the cell membrane of bacteria, plants, fungi, and animals.  In the enzyme tales video, I used Henry the human baby as the host.  Beta-Glucosidase is found within the brush border of the Henry’s small intestine’s microvilli.

What does the enzyme do? Beta-Glucosidase is in charge of splitting the substrate lactose into glucose and galactose.  This enzyme catalyzes the hydrolysis of the glycosidic bond between the monosaccharides glucose and galactose, allowing them to be absorbed through the small intestinal cell and into the blood stream to be transported to organs in need and metabolized.  Once lactose is broken down, glucose can be used directly by cells for energy production through glycolysis, while galactose is transported to the liver where it can be stored as glycogen for future energy use.  This process is critical for people who consume dairy products, because the lactose in the dairy must be split into its monosaccharides for proper digestion and energy use. Without Beta-Glucosidase lactose will remain undigested and cause gastrointestinal discomfort for the consumer.

Any other interesting facts or important information on your enzyme? Most humans lose their ability to break down lactose due to the enzyme Beta-Glucosidase declining in the body as person ages.  This becomes an issue when dairy loving people have to suffer with gastrointestinal discomfort later on.  Thankfully, Beta-Glucosidase obtained from fungi is used in industrial processes to remove lactose from milk products.  This allows lactose intolerant people to still enjoy dairy products that are now lactose free!

References

Juers, D. H., Matthews, B. W., & Huber, R. E. (2012). LacZ β-galactosidase: structure and function of an enzyme of historical and molecular biological importance. Protein science : a publication of the Protein Society, 21(12), 1792–1807. https://doi.org/10.1002/pro.2165

Kalathinathan, P., Sain, A., Pulicherla, K., & Kodiveri Muthukaliannan, G. (2023). A Review on the Various Sources of β-Galactosidase and Its Lactose Hydrolysis Property. Current Microbiology, 80(4), 1–12. https://doi-org.ezproxy.tru.ca/10.1007/s00284-023-03220-4